St. Louis Injury Lawyers Win $1,285,299 Verdict In Trucking Case

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St. Louis Injury lawyers Brad Lakin and Robert Schmieder II of SL Chapman LLC represented the injured plaintiff who had neck and back injuries. A St. Clair County jury returned a verdict in favor of a 37 year man (Cause No. 10-L-179) in the amount o $1,285,299.

Belleville, Illinois (PRWEB)August 27, 2013

Late Friday, August 23, 2013, a St. Clair County, Illinois jury returned a verdict in favor of a 37 year old Troy, Illinois man (Cause No. 10-L-179). The case concluded after a week long trial. The plaintiff, Tim Balota, testified that he was injured when he was stopped in a construction zone and was rear ended on I55/70 and Illinois Route 157 on May 20, 2008 by a Trans Am Trucking tractor trailer at 20-30 mph. On the day of the accident, Mr. Balota was on his way back to St. Louis University hospital for follow up care from a 2007 serious life threatening car accident where he was a passenger.

Balota was represented by trucking injury lawyers Brad Lakin and Robert Schmieder II of SL Chapman, St. Louis. Dr. Matthew Gornet of the Orthopedic Center of St. Louis testified that Balota suffered cervical disc injuries and an aggravation of his pre-existing mid and low back injuries from his first accident.

“We were very pleased with the jury’s decision and their ability to focus on the injuries that occurred as a result of the May 20, 2008 crash. It is a day that Mr. Balota had waited for a long time,” said Brad Lakin.

Balota has yet to have surgery for to his neck.

In pleadings filed with the court, and throughout trial, Trans Am denied liability and blamed another trucking company for the crash. Trans Am also blamed the prior accident of 2007 for his injuries and recommended that the jury award $4,900.

“Mr. Balota testified that the crash resulted in two impacts for Mr. Balota. The first when he was struck from behind. The second occurred when his truck was thrust forward into another vehicle. In total, two tractor trailers and three cars were involved in the wreck," Schmieder said.

SL Chapman LLC has offices in Alton, St. Louis and Phoenix. The attorneys of SL Chapman LLC have obtained over $ 700 million in verdicts, settlements, and other benefits for their clients. The firm’s practice areas include personal injury, pharmaceutical, commercial, estate planning and other complex litigation.